The Divine European Destinations For An Early Summer Vacation
As the first glimmers of vacation season appear, allow yourself to be whisked away by wanderlust thoughts of slow-paced beach days, poolside lunches, rooftop dinners and sprawling, sun-drenched scenery. Below, discover five European destinations perfect for an early summer getaway. By KATIE BERRINGTON
Gundari Resort, Folegandros, Greece
A lesser-known Cyclades is a thrill to come by, and the small, wild isle of Folegandros offers a dreamy, slow-paced idyll of Greek-island life that feels like the stuff of cinema: quintessential white-washed villages sprawled between the rugged landscape, all backdropped by the sparkling Aegean. However under-the-radar, the height of summer is a hot and bustling time to island-hop in Greece, but, earlier in the season, fewer crowds and milder temperatures add to its majesty. The lofty, cliffside Gundari, where every suite and villa has its own infinity pool, sits in 80 acres encompassing an organic farm, tiny wine bar, farm-to-plate restaurant, subterranean spa inspired by Ancient Greek healing therapies, and a dizzying infinity pool with a swim-up cocktail bar.
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Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo, Taormina, Italy
Sun-drenched Sicily is one of Italy’s most renowned beach destinations – during the peak summer months, temperatures can be sweltering and holidaymakers arrive en masse. For that perfect between-season moment, May and June welcome warm, brilliantly bright days, and the island’s fragrant bougainvillea and orange blossom are at their sweetest. Blessed with a storied setting, Grand Hotel Timeo, a Belmond Hotel, has breathtaking views of Mount Etna, the bay of Taormina, and a third-century BC Greek amphitheater. Guests come for a taste of true la dolce vita – and here, convivial Italian hospitality meets elegant, marble-decked interiors. Outdoors, a panoramic pool sits amid lush gardens, overlooking terracotta rooftops and out to the Ionian Sea. The food is an unsurprising highlight, including the Michelin-starred Otto Geleng restaurant, which has just 16 seats, while Bar Timeo is the spot to enjoy an Etna Spritz, at the same time marveling its namesake.
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Hôtel du Couvent, Nice, France
The French Riviera comes alive as spring turns to summer, and breezy beachside glamour steps back into action – all eyes are, of course, on Cannes come May, when stars of the big screen descend for the Film Festival. In Nice’s charming Old Town, the recently opened Hôtel du Couvent is vying to steal the show. An exquisitely reimagined 16th-century monastery, it’s centered around a candlelit cloister restaurant, with accommodation – including atmospheric, monastic rooms and sea-view apartments – all filled with antiques and art works. There’s a pool amid the teetering terraced gardens with panoramic city views stretching out to the sea, a laid-back garden café, resident herbalist and onsite bakery, and a Roman-bath spa offering thermal treatments.
Le Grand Bellevue, Gstaad, Switzerland
An Alpine adventure shouldn’t be a vacation reserved solely for winter – in fact, the undulating scenery takes on a different, kaleidoscopic magic when blanketed with greenery and blossoming flowers. And the outdoor pursuits are just as plentiful in the warmer months, from hiking around picturesque lakes and waterfalls, to wild swimming, mountain-biking and paragliding. In the quaint Swiss village of Gstaad, historic palace hotel Le Grand Bellevue holds much majesty, with accommodation ranging between turreted tower rooms and capacious chalet-style suites. There are several restaurants and bars (including a log cabin a short stroll through the gardens, where the menu swaps from fondue and raclette in winter to an open-air chicken rotisserie in summer), and also the impressive 32,000 sq ft Le Grand Spa, which offers ample opportunity for rejuvenation after a day exploring the mountains.
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Teranka, Formentera, Spain
Tiny, serene Formentera is the most laid-back and untouched of the Balearic Islands, with the same cerulean water and mix of rocky and silky beaches as its neighboring Ibiza, Mallorca and Menorca, and a sweeping landscape (punctuated with just five small villages) that bursts into bloom when spring arrives. Tranquil Mediterranean living is the appeal here, with many hidden pieces of paradise – from slivers of coves to little low-key beach bars – to discover along its only 12-mile stretch. Boutique hotel Teranka is the island’s most luxurious place to stay, an understatedly elegant beachside hideaway with an open-air gym and yoga deck, alfresco garden restaurant, rooftop bar with awe-inspiring sunset views, saltwater pool and spa-treatment cabins.
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